Cisco - Field Testing
One of my favorite parts of running a knife company is getting to choose a blade for real-world field testing. As I packed for my annual Victoria Day—aka May Long—adventure into the wild, I thumbed through the Rainy Day Forge inventory and settled on an 80CRV2 Cisco featuring vintage caramel micarta scales and brown canvas micarta pins.
But where were we headed?
Spring in Manitoba had been unusually dry, and a sudden 38°C heat wave paired with lightning storms sparked several forest fires. As a result, backcountry travel bans were in effect across much of southern Manitoba. After we returned, we learned that a group of canoers had to be evacuated when a fire encircled their camp. Scary stuff!
Our group doesn’t abandon tradition easily. In 30 years, I’ve only missed one May Long trip. So we adapted and pressed on, weighing our options: head north above the fire line, or east into Ontario. On Thursday morning, with the crew assembled, we voted—and our destination was set: the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA).
ELA is a stunning corner of Ontario known for its role in ecosystem research. Scientists here tested how freshwater lakes react to different chemical changes—like altering pH levels—by documenting how ecosystems recover or stabilize. For us, the appeal was more recreational: a pristine, remote chain of clear lakes, perfect for paddling.
As always, camp life was excellent. We’re seasoned campers, used to roughing it. We set up a wind-blocking tarp wall and strung a few more above to keep dry. The Cisco came in handy during setup—cutting paracord, opening gear packages, and clearing my tent site. It performed exactly how I hoped it would. I was particularly curious to see how the acid-etched blade would hold up under real use, and I’m happy to report it showed little to no wear. Success.
I also brought along a Beaver Creek Cleaver, which proved perfect for camp meal prep. My buddy Amar—designer of the ULK—helped dice peppers and onions for burritos, and the cleaver made short work of it.
One highlight of the trip was a bushwhack hike to a cliff. We zig-zagged through the forest, trying to find an easier path, and ended up discovering an old logger’s camp. From the peak, we spotted a neighboring lake—spectacular views and a reminder of how wild this place really is.
The trip wasn’t without challenges. An injury in the group, plummeting temperatures, and a surprise fire ban meant we had to stay close to our entry point and cook on small camp stoves instead of over the fire. We adapted as best we could—laughing, sharing stories, and making the most of the conditions. But after several days of wet snow and biting wind, we decided to pull out a day early.
Every year, the May Long canoe trip throws something new at us—this year it was fires, snow, and injuries. But that's why we go: to test our gear, our grit, and our ability to adapt. The Cisco passed its field test with flying colours, and I came home with renewed respect for what a well-made tool can do under pressure.
There are currently a handful of Ciscos in stock in the RDF inventory and the Cisco can be customized to your specifications. Usually this means choosing your knife scales but some clients have requested specific steels for their knives. For example, the next Ciscos that I will be making will be made from s90vn and Baker Forge and Tool, Crushed Ws.
Take a look at the RDF Store for more information about the Cisco and thanks for reading!